Driving means



Dec. 6, 1960 A. H. KENT 2,963,598

DmvING MEANS Filed Dec. 5, 1957 United States Patent 2,963,598 DRIVING MEANS Allen H. Kent, 20 5th Ave., New York, N.Y.

Filed Dec. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 700,789

8 Claims. (Cl. 310.-50)

This invention relates generally to driving means and more particularly to -a driving means comprising a miniature D C. motor and power pack combination which may be conveniently grasped with one hand during operation.

Today considerable consumer demand is directed to ward small power driven devices. Therefore, it is highly desirable to utilize a driving means which includes its own source of power. Heretofore, efforts along these lines have produced driving means of considerable bulk and/or weight which, if directly coupled to the device in question, would make the hand manipulation of the device with any degree of precision an impossible task.

The -instant invention provides a hand holdable driving means including its own power source, for devices such as erasers, razors, stirrers for liquids, and small shears. In essence, my driving means comprises a power pack and a miniature D.C. motor of the type described in my copending application (M530) 683,641, filed September l2, 1957, and assigned to the assignee of the instant invention. The power pack includes a holder wherein a plurality of circularly arranged miniature cells, such as 1.5 volt dry cell manufactured by the Burgess Battery Co. andy designated 9R, are operatively disposed The power pack holder is of a frame-like construction comprising two insulating end disks maintained in spaced relationship by a plurality of elongated conducting struts orf V-shaped cross-section to provide rigidity. A first contact member extends laterally in a first direction from one end of each of the struts while a second contact member extends laterallyin a second direction, opposite to the first direction, from the other end of the strut. With this construction the cells are automatically connected in series by merely inserting all of the cells into the holder with the positive terminals facing in the same direction whether this direction be toward one or the other of the end disks. Thus the conducting struts serve the dual functions of being support members and being circuit connectors. f f.

This holder construction makes it highly unlikely that even an unskilled person will insert the cells in bucking relationship. The series connection of cells is preferred over a parallel connection since the higher voltage obtained thereby permits a motor of the same physical size to develop a greater starting torpue and the lower running current reduces commutating problems. Further, connection resistances become less critical as the voltage is raised. 'e

The D C. motor and power pack are in axial ment, with one of the motor terminals arranged in direct contact with one end of the series connections of the cells while a control means selectively engages the motor casing which is connected to the other motor terminal, yand when engaged completes the circuit to the other end of the series connection of cells. The control means comprises a simple resilient depressible conducting strip secured at one end to the `strut bearing the end terminal in rthe series connection and being "operatively positioned with its other end spaced from the motor housing.

An open ended cylindrical housing is provided with the power pack being inserted through a first end of the housing to rest against a resilient pad retained at the other end of the housing with the resilient pad being lightly loaded to maintain contact pressure between the motor and power pack terminals. The motor is only partially entered into the housing through the first end and positioned as described in the preceding paragraph. A single screw passes through a slot in the housing communicating with the first end thereof and a hole in the depressible strip to mate with a tapped hole in an insulating end bracket of the motor.

With they single screw tightened,'the motor, power pack and housing form a light-weight compact unit which may be convenientlyl hand held. With the single screw loosened, the motor and power pack may be removed as a unit from the housing in order to change batteries or service the motor. The single screw serves as both 'a retaining and locating means. That is, the screw mechanically fastens the motor to the power pack and cor` rectly positions the motor terminals with respect to the terminals of the series connection of cells.

Accordingly a primary object of the instant invention is to provide a novel driving means to be directly connected to hand held devices.

Another object is to provide a no-vel, light-weight cornpact combination of a D.C. motor and a power pack.

Still another object is to provide a single fastening means whereby the motor and power pack are mechan' ically secured to one another in correct angular relationship with the single fastening means also securing tionship 4by means of a plurality of conducting strutsI with the struts serving the dual functions of being structural members and conducting members.

These as well as other objects of the instant inVen tion shall become apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of my novel driving means,

with the housing in cross-section.

Figure 2 is a section through line 2 2 of Figure 3, with the dry cells removed, looking in the direction of arrows 2 2.

Figure 3 is a section taken through line 3 3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of arrows 3 3.

Figure4 is a section taken through line 4 4 of FigureV l looking in the direction of arrows 4 4.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of a strut of the cell holder.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the cell holder. Figure 7 is a perspective view of an eraser assembly which may be powered by my novel driving means.

Referring to the figures, driving means 10 comprises power pack 21 completely disposed within cylindrical housing 22 and miniature D.C. motor 23 partially en.

tered into housing 22. Motor 23 is of the type cornpletely described in my aforesaid copending application 683,641 and includes a metallic housing section 24 disposed between insulating end brackets 25, 26, with output shaft 27 extending outward through end bracket 26.

One end of motor terminal 28 is electrically connected at29 to'housing section 24 while the other end of termi? nal member 28, after passing through opening 31 in Patented Dec. 6, 1960' insulated retaining member 30, is terminated about midway along the length of bearing cup 32. The other motor terminal 33 is insulated from housing section 24. Terminal member 33, after passing through opening 31, is partially bent back on -itself about midway along the length of bearing cup 32 to form a terminal 34 connectible to power pack 21.

Power pack 2-1 comprises four dry cells 35-38 arranged circularly within holder 40 which includes top 41 and bottom 42 insulating disks. Four struts 43-46 which maintain insulating disks 41, 42 in spaced parallel relationship, are circularly arranged so that a cell 35-38 may fit between any two adjacent struts 43-46.

Each strut 43-46 is an elongated member of V-shaped cross-section having a pair of tabs 47, 48 at each end which, after being entered through appropriate slits in disks 41, 42, are bent over the outer faces thereof to secure struts 43-46 to disks 41, 42 as a rigid structure. Each strut 43-45 also includes terminals 49, 50 formed integrally therewith and positioned adjacent to the inner faces of disks 41, 42 respectively. Terminal 49 extends at right angles in a iirst direction, from one leg of the V while terminal 50 extends at right angles, in a second, from the other leg of the V with the second direction being substantially opposite to said first direction. Terminals 49, 50 are each appropriately bowed at 52 and 53. The bowing at 52 and 53 together with the resiliency of the strut material assures good electrical contact between terminals 49, 50 and cells 35-38. Strut 46 merely includes one terminal 50 for a reason to be hereinafter explained.

When the four cells 35-38 are inserted into holder 40 with the cell terminals facing in the same direction, the cells are connected in series aiding relationship. That is, when the positive terminals 54 of each cell con tacts a terminal 50 and each terminal 49 contacts a cell casing a series electrical path is established as follows: from terminal 50 of strut 46, through cell 38 from plus to minus to terminal 49 of strut 45, through strut 45 to terminal 50 thereof, through cell 37 from plus to minus to terminal 49 of strut 44, through strut 44 to terminal 50 thereof, through cell 36 from plus to minus to terminal 49 of strut 43, and iinally through cell 35 from plus to minus. Thus, the voltage between strut 46 and the terminal of cell 35 not connected to terminal 50 of strut 43 is equal to the arithmetic sum of the voltages appearing across all of the cells 35-38,

Motor '23 is positioned in axial alignment with power pack 21 and is angularly arranged so that motor terminal 34, which is opposite the inside face of disk 41 will contact the terminal of cell 35 not connected to terminal 50 of strut 43. This terminal is illustrated as the end of the cell 35 casing.

A control means for selectively energizing motor 23 comprises a resilient conducting strip 60 soldered at end 61 thereof to strut 46. The free end 62 of strip 60 is normally disposed spaced from motor housing section 24. When strip 60 is depressed by pressing upon plastic tab 63, secured to end 62, strip 60 contacts protrusion 64 of housing section 24. Since housing section 24 is connected at 29 to terminal member 28 this terminal member is now connected to one end of the serially connected cells 35-38 while the other terminal member 33 is connected to the other end of the serially connected cells 35-38 so that motor 23 is energized and shaft 27 thereof will rotate.

The proper longitudinal spacing between motor 23 and power pack 21, as well as the correct angular position therebetween, is maintained by single screw 65 which passes through a clearance hole in strip 60 and engages the threads of an opening `in end bracket 25. Bearing cup 32 is entered into disk opening 66 to maintain axial alignment between motor 23 and power pack 21 when these assemblies are not confined by housing 22.

When the motor 23 power pack 21 combination is inserted into housing 22 disk 42 engages shock absorbing resilient ring pad 66 which is adjacent to end member 67 retained in housing 22 by lip 68 thereof. Screw 65 is received by housing slot 69 so that when screw 65 is tightened the head thereof will bear against housing 22 and all the components will be assembled in a compact unit. Typically driving means 10` is 31/2 inches long by 11/2 inches in diameter weighing less than one half pound, with the motor 23 being capable of delivering 0.4 oz.in. of torque to operate a device such as the eraser assembly of Figure 7.

Eraser assembly 100 comprises rubber eraser element 101 inserted into member 102 which is frusto conical in shape. U-shape spring retainer 103 is pivotally secured about leg 104 thereof to member 102. The spring retainer arms are inwardly bent at 105 and extend through openings in member 102 to engage eraser element 101 in a pincers like manner.

Central opening 106 in member 102 is adapted to receive motor shaft 27. Set screw 107 mates with a tapped hole in member 102 communicating with opening 106. When set screw 107 engages shaft 27 eraser assembly 100 will rotate together with shaft 27 and eraser element 101 is power driven to effect a precise erasing operation with or without the use of an erasing shield.

Although I have here described preferred embodiment of my novel invention, many variations and modications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I therefore prefer to be limited, not by the specic disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. A driving means comprising a D.C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positioned in a irst plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane; a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating members and a plurality of cells; said plurality of struts providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said first plane and also serving as electrical connectors between the cells of said plurality of cells; each strut of said plurality of struts comprising an elongated member having a V-shaped cross section; each of said struts having a first terminal formed integrally therewith and extending from one end thereof at right angles to one leg of the V in a irst direction; all but one of said struts having a second terminal formed integrally therewith and extending from the other end thereof at right angles to the other leg of said V in a second direction diverging from said iirst direction.

2. A driving means comprising a D.C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positioned in a first plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane: a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating meinbers and a plurality of stru-ts equal in number to the cells of said plurality of cells; said plurality of struts providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said rst plane and also serving as electrical connectors between the cells of said plurality of cells; said D.C. motor including a first and a second terminal member; said volt* age source having a pair of terminals; said first terminal member being electrically connected to one of said pair of tilminals; a control means including a resilient deto electrically connect said second terminal member to` the other of said pair of terminals thereby causing rotation of said D.C. motor.

3. A driving means comprising a D C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positioned in a first plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane; a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating members and a plurality of struts equal in number to the cells of said plurality of cells; said plurality of struts providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said first plane and also serving as electrical connectors between the cells of said plurality of cells; said D.C. motor including a first and a second terminal member; said voltage source having a pair of terminals; said first terminal member being electrically connected to one of said pair of terminals; a control means including a resilient depressible member operatively connected when depressed to electrically connect said second terminal member to the other of said pair of terminals thereby causing rotation of said D.C. motor; said depressible memberbeing secured at one end to the other of said pair of terminals; said D.C. motor also including an insulating end bracket; a screw means entered through an opening in said depressible member and mated'with a tapped hole in said end bracket thereby maintaining a mechanical connection between said D C. motor and said power pack; said screw means and said tapped hole cooperating to index said D.C. motor with respect to said power pack.

4. A driving means comprising a D.C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positioned in a first plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane; a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating members and a plurality of struts equal in number to the cells of said plurality of cells; said plurali-ty of struts providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said first plane and also serving as electrical connectors between the cells of said plurality of cells; said D.C. motor including a first and a second terminal member; said voltage source having a pair of terminals; said first terminal member being electrically connected to -one of said pair of terminals; a control means including a resilient depressible member operatively connected when depressed to electrically connect said second terminal member to the other of said pair of terminals thereby causing rotation of said D.C. motor; said depressible member being secured at one end to the other of said pair of terminals; said D.C. motor also including an insulating end bracket; a screw means entered through an opening in said depressible member and mated with a tapped hole in said end bracket thereby maintaining a mechanical connection between said D.C. motor and said power pack; said screw means and said tapped hole cooperating to index said D.C. motor with respect to said power pack; said D.C. motor further including a metallic housing section; said first terminal member being in contact with said housing section; said depressible member being selectively engageable with said housing section vand biased out of engagement therewith.

5. A "driving means comprising' a 11C. motor anda"y power pack in axial alignment with said motor and 0pt-f eratively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positivefand a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage sourcewith al-l of said positive terminals positioned in a first plane andr all of said negative terminals being positioned in Ya second plane; -a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating members and a plurality of struts equal in number to the` cells of said plurality of cells; said plurality of struts* providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said first plane and 'also lserving as electrical connectors between the cells of said plurality of cells; said D.C. motor including a first and a second terminal member;-saidvoltage source having a pair of terminals; said first terminal member being electrically connected to one of said pair of terminals; a control means including a resilient' depressible member operatively connected when de? pressed to electrically connect said second terminal to the other of said pair of terminals thereby causing rota-iy tion of said D.C. motor; said depressible member being secured at one end to the other of said pair of terminals; said D.C. motor also including an insulating end bracket; a screw means entered through an opening in said depressible member and mated with a tapped hole in said end bracket thereby maintaining a mechanical connection between said D.C. motor and said power pack; said screw means and said tapped yhole cooperating to indexV said D.C. motor with respect to said power pack; saidr D.C, motor further including a metallic housing section; said first terminal member being in contact with said housing section; said depressible member being selectively engageable with said housing section and biased out of engagement therewith; a cylindrical housing having an open first end; said power pack being entered through said first end and completely disposed within said housing; said end bracket of said D.C. motor being entered through said first end; the other end of said depressible member being positioned external-ly of said housing.

6. A driving means comprising a D.C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positi-oned in a first plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane; a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating members and a plurality of struts equal in number to the cells of said plurality of cells; said plurality of struts providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said first plane and also serving as electrical connectors between the cells of said plurality of cells; said D.C. motor including a first and a second terminal member; said voltage source having a pair of terminals; said first terminal member being electrically connected to one of said pair of terminals; a control means including a resilient depressible member operatively connected when depressed to electrically connect said second terminal to the other of said pair of terminals thereby causing rotation `of said D.C. motor; said depressible member being secured at one end to the other of said pair of terminals; said D.C. motor also including an insulating end bracket; a screw means entered through an opening in said depressible member and mated with a tapped hole in said end bracket thereby maintaining a mechanical connection between said D.C. motor and said power pack; said screw means and said tapped hole cooperating to index said D C. motor with respect to said power pack; said D.C. motor further including ra metallic housing section; said rst terminal member being in contact with said housing section; said depressible member being selectively engageable `with said housing section and biased out of engagement therewith; a cylindrical housing having an open iirst end; said power pack being entered through said first end and completely disposed within said housing; said end bracket of said D.C. motor being entered through said first end; the other end of said depressible member being positioned externally of said housing; said screw means being received by a slot in said housing corn-municating with said rst end; said screw means when tightened engaging said housing and being elective to mechanically secure both said power pack and said D.C. motor to said housing.

7. A driving means comprising a D.C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positioned in a rst plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane; said motor having ian output shaft; an eraser assembly secured to said output Shaft and rotatable therewith; said eraser assembly including an eraser element and a pivotable U-shaped spring retainer having inwardly turned arms; said eraser element being clamped between the f-ree ends of said arms.

8. A driving means comprising a D.C. motor and a power pack in axial alignment with said motor and operatively connected thereto; said power pack comprising a plurality of cells each having a positive and a negative terminal; said plurality of cells being connected in series aiding relationship to form a voltage source with all of said positive terminals positioned in a iirst plane and all of said negative terminals being positioned in a second plane; a holder wherein said plurality of cells are disposed; said holder comprising a pair of insulating members and a plurality of struts equal in number to the cells of said plurality of cells; said plurality of struts providing a structural support to maintain said pair of insulating members in spaced relationship parallel to said rst plane and also serving as electrical connectors between the `cells of said plurality of cells; said D.C. motor including a rst and a second terminal member; said voltage source having a pair of terminals; said first terminal member being electrically connected to one of said pair of terminals; a control means including a member mounted Ito one of said struts and movable from a rst to a second position; said member when in said tirst position providing an electrical connection between the other of said pair of terminals and said second terminal member; said connection being broken when said member is in said second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,760,498 Hoffmann May 27, 1930 2,079,356 Lukowski May 4, 1937 2,137,230 Arden Nov. 22, 1938 2,449,568 Shiriro et al Sept. 2l, 1948 2,734,139 Murphy Feb. 7, 1956 2,775,730 Eilenberger et al Dec. 25, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION' Patent No, 2,963,598 December 6, 1960 Allen E. Kent It is hereby certified thai"l error appears in the above .numbered patentl requiring correction corrected below,

Signed and seal-ed this .7th day of November 1961.

SEA L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOM M-DC and that the said' Letters Patent should read as UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent Ne, 2,963,598 Deeembe1` e, 1960 Allen H.. Kent It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat-- ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 42, for "cells" read struts signed end see1-ed ehienh dey ef November 1961.

SEA L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 

